The School of Creative Arts Therapies
The School of Creative Arts Therapies was established in October 2008 as part of the Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences at the University of Haifa. The School offers the only program in Israel that awards a master's degree in Creative Arts Therapies with the following five specialization tracks: Art Therapy, Dance Movement Therapy, Music Therapy, Drama Therapy, and Psychodrama. Since its establishment, the School has become one of the most popular at the University, with over 500 students currently enrolled. The School of Creative Arts Therapies is located in the new, purpose-built, Hecht Arts Centre building. The building, which was opened in 2005, occupies an area of 3,500 sq. meters over four stories and was planned specifically to provide students with optimal working conditions and to fulfill the particular needs of arts-related programs. All the learning spaces are state-of-the-art and designed for workshop, studio, and classroom use. In addition, the view of the Haifa Bay from the large glass walls is breathtaking. The Hecht Arts Centre building is part of the beautiful University of Haifa campus which spreads along a ridge of the Carmel Mountain southeast of the city of Haifa and is surrounded by the Carmel National Park. Click here to see the campus map.
Creative Arts Therapies
Creative arts therapists are healthcare professionals who use the creative and expressive process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, emotional and social well-being of individuals of all ages. Professional specializations include art therapy, music therapy, dance movement therapy, drama therapy and psychodrama.
Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of communication, such as paint, chalk, crayons, and sculpture. Art therapy is especially valuable for clients who have difficulties verbally expressing themselves.
Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals.Community music therapy is a way of doing and thinking about music therapy where the larger cultural, institutional and social context is taken into consideration.
Dance Movement Therapy is founded on the belief that the body and mind are an interrelated continuum. Through the vehicle of movement and dance, clients creatively explore and enhance emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration.
Dramatherapy is the intentional use of theatrical techniques in therapy, such as role-play, theatre games, mime, puppetry, voice work, myth, ritual, storytelling and purposeful improvisational techniques. These enable the client to explore difficult and painful life experiences through an indirect approach.
Psychodrama employs guided dramatic action to examine real-life issues raised by an individual or a group. Using experiential action methods, sociometry, role-play and group dynamics, psychodrama facilitates insight, personal growth and integration on cognitive, affective and behavioral levels.
Accreditation
The University of Haifa was established in 1963 under the joint auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Haifa Municipality. In 1972 it gained academic accreditation from the Council for Higher Education as a separate institution. Thus, the University of Haifa is a fully accredited university under the auspices of Israel’s Ministry of Education and the Israeli Council for Higher Education. The University is recognized internationally as an approved site for study abroad, and academic credits earned are transferable to home institutions to be applied toward degree completion. The University of Haifa is also recognized by the UNESCO-based International Association of Universities.
MA Programs in Hebrew
The MA in Creative Arts Therapies is a two-year program, six semesters. Each academic year begins in mid-October and ends in mid-July. Students can choose between a thesis track and a non-thesis track with a final examination.In addition, students complete 600 hours of clinical field training during the two academic years. On-site individual supervision and group supervision at the university are provided by experienced creative arts therapists who specialize in the student’s modality.
After successful completion of all program requirements, graduatesreceive a master's degree in Creative Arts Therapies (Tipul Be'emtzaut Omanuyot) with a specialization in one of the five modalities (Art Therapy, Dance Movement Therapy, Music Therapy, Drama Therapy, and Psychodrama) and adiploma supplement confirming the completion of the 600 field training hours. Graduates are also provided with an academic transcript listing the courses they took, the number of credits earned, and the grade for each course.After the two academic years, students complete a third year of advanced clinical training of additional 960 hours.
Art Therapy Head - Dr. Limor Goldner
Dance/Movement Therapy Head -This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Music Therapy Head - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Drama Therapy/Psychodrama Head - Dr. Hod Horkibi
Admissions Requirements and Pre-requisites - Programs Taught in Hebrew
Academic Prerequisites
- Intro to Psychology 2 credits
- Physio-psychology 2 credits
- Personality Theories 2 credits
- Developmental Psychology 4 credits
- Psychopathology 4 credits
- Research Methods 2 credits
- Statistics 2 credits
Total: 18 credits (= 320 h).
General Admission Requirements
- Accredited BA (grade 85+)
- English exam (grade 80+)
- Recommendation letter from an academic
- Curriculum Vitae & passport photo
- Personal statement
- Interview (group and/or individual)
- Hebrew exam*
GRE **
*Candidates who hold a B.A. degree from an accredited institution of higher education whose language of instruction is other than Hebrew must pass an examination testing the candidate’s knowledge of Hebrew at a level required by the University.
** Candidates for the master’s degree who are graduates of accredited universities abroad or of universities with branches in Israel that operate with the approval of the Council for Higher Education must pass the GRE test or complete supplementary bachelor’s studies.
Arts-Based Prerequisites
Each program requires 500 hours of arts-based pre-requisites and a portfolio. Please contact the program heads for more detailed information as to what qualifies towards the hours of training.